Quint Kessenich: Fact vs. opinion in men's college lacrosse

CaptionNew rules

Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun

Fact: According to stat guru Matt Glaude of the College Crosse website, the new rules have resulted in per-game increases of 1.02 penalties, 1.21 goals and 6.53 shots. Opinion: Rule enhancements are an upgrade and have created a better tempo, but having a "timer on" shot clock initiated by...

Fact: According to stat guru Matt Glaude of the College Crosse website, the new rules have resulted in per-game increases of 1.02 penalties, 1.21 goals and 6.53 shots. Opinion: Rule enhancements are an upgrade and have created a better tempo, but having a "timer on" shot clock initiated by... (Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun)

Fact: Duke (2-3) already has setbacks to Denver, Notre Dame and Penn. Blue Devils host top-ranked Maryland on Saturday at 11 a.m. Under coach John Danowski they are 36-8 in March and 60-7 at home. Opinion: Rivalry games are not about rankings or records. Maryland must bring its hard hat (or...

Fact: Duke (2-3) already has setbacks to Denver, Notre Dame and Penn. Blue Devils host top-ranked Maryland on Saturday at 11 a.m. Under coach John Danowski they are 36-8 in March and 60-7 at home. Opinion: Rivalry games are not about rankings or records. Maryland must bring its hard hat (or... (Duke Athletics)

Fact: Maryland shot 10 percent against Loyola in the NCAA title game in 2012. Last weekend in their 12-10 win over the then-No. 1 Greyhounds, the Terps shot 12-for-36 (33 percent). Opinion: Maryland picked on Loyola's defensive midfielders. A defense is only as good as its shorties. The...

Fact: Maryland shot 10 percent against Loyola in the NCAA title game in 2012. Last weekend in their 12-10 win over the then-No. 1 Greyhounds, the Terps shot 12-for-36 (33 percent). Opinion: Maryland picked on Loyola's defensive midfielders. A defense is only as good as its shorties. The... (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun)

Fact: Justin Ward (Old Mill) scored seven goals and had three assists in Loyola's 21-9 victory over UMBC on a rainy and cold night Tuesday as the Greyhounds effectively rebounded from the Maryland defeat. They host Bellarmine (3-0) on Saturday. Opinion: Loyola's offense is exceptional, and I...

Fact: Justin Ward (Old Mill) scored seven goals and had three assists in Loyola's 21-9 victory over UMBC on a rainy and cold night Tuesday as the Greyhounds effectively rebounded from the Maryland defeat. They host Bellarmine (3-0) on Saturday. Opinion: Loyola's offense is exceptional, and I... (Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun)

Fact: Through 81 Division I games as of Sunday, seven went into overtime and 37 percent were decided by two or fewer goals. Opinion: Parity exists within the middle of the pack in Division I. Teams ranked around No. 15 are very similar in makeup to teams ranked in the No. 35 range.

Fact: Through 81 Division I games as of Sunday, seven went into overtime and 37 percent were decided by two or fewer goals. Opinion: Parity exists within the middle of the pack in Division I. Teams ranked around No. 15 are very similar in makeup to teams ranked in the No. 35 range. (St. John's University Athletics)

This was billed as a season of change, and so far it has lived up to expectations. New rules have significantly altered play, Maryland has replaced Loyola atop the major polls and speculation has mounted about what will come next in the merry-go-round of conference realignment. Here's my take...By Quint Kessenich, For The Baltimore Sun